for now we pay little attention since, sitting idly in the
middle of a large cecropia, is a serene- looking Brown-
throated Three- toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus; plate
4- 31). Sloths have such a slow metabolism that they
barely move, and this one proves no exception to that
rule. Slowly its left forearm is raised, a parody of slow-
motion photography. Like the Tin Man’s joints in the
Wizard of Oz before they were oiled, the sloth’s muscles
seem to begrudge it the ability to move.
The sloth’s cecropia is flowering, the slender,
pendulous blossoms hanging down under the huge
leaves. Soon a mixed- species flock of tanagers,
honeycreepers, and euphonias fills its branches,
gleaning both insects and nectar from the tree. Unlike
the earlier flock, this group is brilliantly colored,
displaying metallic violets, greens, and reds.
The sky begins to cloud up again; the high humidity
has taken its toll. We are feeling a bit tired, but we come
upon one more small trail leading back into the forest.
Should we do just a little bit more exploring? It’s going
to rain again soon, that’s obvious, but still we take the
trail. We see an odd- looking liana twisting from some
trees and note that, on second glance, there is something
peculiar about this particular liana. Is it a liana? Look
again: it’s a snake, curled on a branch. We have found
a small Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor). And it has
apparently attracted a hummingbird! A brightly colored
male Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
hovers in the vicinity of the serpent (plate 4- 32).
The rain begins again in earnest; it feels cool, helping
offset the effects of high humidity (plate 4- 33). We
put our binoculars and camera equipment in tightly
sealed waterproof bags and begin walking back to the
field station. After a refreshing beer or soda and some
dinner, it will be time to think about doing a night
walk (plate 4- 34). As dusk falls we notice that the bats
are appearing. The plaintive call of a Great Tinamou
(Tinamus major) is heard. We are in the American
tropics and feeling very good about being here.
Trail Etiquette: Top 10 Tips
Most visitors to the Neotropics go as part of a tour,
or they visit various lodges where local and highly
competent guides will organize walks of up to 10 or
sometimes more participants. It is important to observe
good trail etiquette on the occasions when you are part
of a group. Here’s how:
- Keep talking to a minimum. Loud voices are
one of the easiest ways to frighten wildlife.
Unfortunately, some folks cannot seem to resist
using a walk as a source of good conversation.
That is not what it is intended to be. Resist the
temptation to babble on about your recent Brazil
trip when you are walking the trail with a group
trying to see wildlife in Panama. - Move around in the line. If you are on a
relatively narrow trail, don’t always try to be
in the front of the line next to the guide. It is a
simple reality that those in the front of the line
tend to see the most animals. Etiquette demands
some measure of sharing. Shifting positions
in line makes opportunities for good sightings
more probable for all involved.
Plate 4- 31. A Brown- throated Three- toed Sloth slowly
ascending in a cecropia tree. Photo by Dennis Paulson.68 chapter 4 finding animals in rain forest